Paulo Costa Issued Ultimatum to UFC for Final Bout
The fighter requested streamer N3on as a corner person while demanding contract changes for his final match.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
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Paulo Costa has issued a three-option contract ultimatum to the UFC as he prepares for the final fight of his current agreement. The request includes having streamer N3on serve as a corner person, following a recent appearance by the influencer at UFC 331.
Why it matters
Costa is leveraging his final contract fight to negotiate for better terms, specifically aiming for a higher purse in exchange for a longer duration. His public involvement with social media figures like N3on highlights a trend of fighters utilizing internet personalities to generate attention.
Costa's current deal is set for a three-round fight, but he has proposed a five-round alternative that could occur in six weeks if his purse is increased.
The players
Paulo Costa
He is a professional mixed martial artist currently fighting in the middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
N3on
He is an internet streamer known for his online content and recent involvement in UFC event corners.
Arman Tsarukyan
He is a professional mixed martial arts competitor who recently secured a knockout victory at UFC 331.
Mauricio Ruffy
He is a professional mixed martial artist who competed against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 331.
UFC
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is a global mixed martial arts promotion organization that hosts high-profile professional bouts.
The details
Paulo Costa communicated his specific demands to the UFC via social media, explicitly linking his interest in N3on to the recent knockout victory by Arman Tsarukyan over Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331. Tsarukyan publicly credited N3on with calling the winning move, prompting Costa to request the streamer for his own corner.
Timeline
September 18, 2026: Paulo Costa issued his contract ultimatum in Las Vegas.
September 19-20, 2026: Arman Tsarukyan fought Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331.
Season Trajectory
This move signals a shift in how fighters curate their professional brand and corner teams during high-stakes contract negotiations. By associating with trending digital figures, athletes are attempting to leverage personal influence to force organizational concessions during final contract fights.
If the UFC accepts Costa's proposal for a five-round fight, it would significantly shift his upcoming schedule from a three-round limit to a championship-length bout. This modification would directly affect betting lines and conditioning expectations for his next opponent.
The takeaway
Fighters are increasingly using external leverage, such as social media trends and influencer involvement, to gain ground in standard contract negotiations. Fans should expect future fight cards to potentially feature more unconventional corner personnel as athletes attempt to replicate successful social media cross-promotion.
Further reading
For more on the current state of professional bouts, visit our Mixed Martial Arts section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sportskeeda.
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